Local estates exempt from property tax drop from 149 to 17

The number of estates exempt from paying the local property tax has fallen by almost 90%, according to a new figures published by the Department for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The list shows that in Cavan only 17 local estates are now exempt from paying the charge, down from 149 only 12-months previous.

The new list, the Department says reflects the significant progress made by local authorities in reducing the number of problem estates. Approximately 5,000 households nationwide are eligible for an exemption under section 10 of the Finance Local Property Tax Act 2011.

Of those estates exempt, five are in Mullagh, two in Virginia, Loch Gowna and Cavan Town, and one each in Bawnboy, Ballyjamesduff, Shercock, Bailieborough and Belturbet.

The housing estates on the revised list are: Abhainn Dubh, Rosehill, Mullagh; An Cuinn, Rantavan, Fartagh Road, Mullagh; Ard Aoibhinn, Rosehill, Mullagh; Ardan Na Corkish, Corkish, Bailieborough; Bawn Villas, Kilsob, Bawnboy; Cherrymount, Virginia Road, Ballyjamesduff; Clankee, Carrickmacross Road, Shercock; Corfree Court, Loch Gowna; Dun Mullach, Fartagh Road, Mullagh; Glen Alainn, Moynalty Road, Mullagh; Loch Eala Cloonagh Road, Loch Gowna; Rakeevan Heights, Rakeevan, Bailieborough; Ridgway Hall, Cavan Road, Virginia; Sli na Coille, Kilconney, Belturbet; Sliabh Rosann, Rosehill, Mullagh.

Cherry Grove/ Drumgola Wood and The Beeches/ Drumgola Wood, Drumlark and Latt, Cavan are only partically exempt. For full details on all exempt estates see revenue.ie or contact Cavan County Council.

At the beginning of this year Cavan County Council revealed it was continuing to work with local developers and interested parties towards maintaining and completing estates, and that by their count, compared to even a year ago, the number of unfinished estates in the county had dropped from nearing 150 to less than 90.

The Development and Compliance team with Cavan County Council has in the past year worked on 25 insurance bonds, which were due to expire in 2012, many of which have now been extended and it is anticipated that an additional 40 bonds will need to be assessed this year.

While the basis for the exemption is similar to that which applied to the household charge, the survey itself and the methodology for carrying it out was significantly refined in 2012 to address anomalies that arose in the 2011 survey.

The 2012 survey was conducted by local authorities, and in February last they were informed that the it would form the basis for the list to which the exemption would apply.

Whereas the Annual Household Charge waiver list contained some 1,322 developments, and approximately 43,000 households, the waiver from payment of the property tax will apply to 421 developments, or approximately 5,100 households

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said, “It is right and proper that households in unfinished developments should be exempt from payment of the Local Property Tax. The number of properties eligible for a waiver reflects the progress made in tackling unfinished housing developments, as well as the more objective approach to categorisation applied to the 2012 National Housing Development Survey.

“I would urge people not to assume that just because they were eligible for a waiver from the household charge they will be eligible for an exemption from the local property tax.”

However, there remains a glut of vacant properties across the county with Cavan showing the third highest number per capita in the country - 26 houses per 1,000 people, with only neighbouring Longford and Leitrim in a worse position.

The most recent Department for the Environment figures show 2,954 dwellings in the county are now completed and currently occupied. A total of 671 or 11.2% dwellings were complete but vacant, 210 were near a stage of completion, 78 were at a wall plate level, 159 were damp proof coursed, 119 at foundation stage and 804 had not yet been started. Planning permission had meanwhile expired on 1,020 of these unfinished properties.